Tokay senior won't sue after pact reached

Sunday

May 24, 2009 at 12:01 AM

LODI - A Tokay High School senior who threatened to sue the Lodi Unified School District if he did not receive extra accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act at Lodi's Grape Bowl stadium for his graduation has reached a compromise with the district.

Keith Reid

LODI - A Tokay High School senior who threatened to sue the Lodi Unified School District if he did not receive extra accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act at Lodi's Grape Bowl stadium for his graduation has reached a compromise with the district.

Jeremy Hixson, 18, who uses an electronic wheelchair for mobility, will be driven into the stadium on a golf cart, and a rubber mat that has been used to cover the Tokay High track will be put down as a pathway from the student seating area to the podium where they receive their diplomas Friday.

"It's not exactly what I asked for, but I tried it, and it will work fine in that particular area," Hixson said.

Hixson wrote a letter to the City Council and the Lodi Unified School District on April 10 complaining that the Grape Bowl is not ADA compliant and that school officials had not worked with him to provide reasonable accommodation. In the letter, Hixson requested a "mobi-mat" that district officials said would cost $5,000.

The Lodi City Council approved a $2 million plan to bring the 69-year-old stadium to ADA compliance, but construction will not start until later this summer. The stadium needs upgraded entrances, restrooms, bleachers and concession stands.

Lodi Unified Assistant Superintendent of Facilities and Planning said the compromise was a collaborative effort between his office, Tokay High and Hixson.

"It was a real good cooperative effort by all parties," Hand said.

When asked if he was glad to be graduating with his class, and with limited help, Hixson said "definitely, yeah."